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Hannu Ikonen, MD | 1 years ago (raw) | export | reply | flag 
 School refusal -- not the same thing as Truancy -- is a manifestation of an adaptive (or maladaptive) response to an anxiety provoking stimulus.

Namely, being amongst a horde of uncivilized primates. 

Jokes aside, I would usually provide one of the following links & discuss validating the kids concerns, hearing them out, rehearsing obstacles, etc

In the Era of COVID, I just wanna say: "maybe kid is onto something."

Maybe they always were.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/06/you-cant-fix-school-refusal-with-tough-love-but-these-steps-might-help

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/school-refusal-when-a-child-wont-go-to-school-2018091814756
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352d9650 | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @46cd5609 I wish, I really wish, someone had told us this at the beginning of the pandemic.

I nearly lost my daughter (both via the state, and then via her own descent into darkness) when the state decided she had to be at school and she refused, because she wouldn't show up to the infection factory, and couldn't be autistic in that environment.
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Hannu Ikonen, MD | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 Generally it should be obvious that my role isnt to conspire and align with a traumatizing invalidator;  its to support and help the patient. 

 I aint here to tell your kid theyre wrong to want to avoid a mass disabling virus, transphobia, racism, and ableism. 

I hope more mental health providers feel this way. Do no harm.
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f1742d81 | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @46cd5609 

I'm just relieved not to see "beat the kids, that'll fix it!" in the comments. Though there is one person weirdly suggesting that more knowledge and understanding of mental health issues makes things worse. What is with people who think ignorance can solve problems?